I think I’m like a lot of enthusiasts in that I genuinely like wrenching on my car, so long as it’s in a no-stress, no-pressure environment, on my own time. What I mean by that is, I don’t need to rely on the car I’m working on and can fix it at my own pace. Essentially, I like working on project cars. However, like most enthusiasts, I have neither the time, nor the budget to dedicate to a separate project car. Which is why videos like these are so satisfying, because you can watch someone who has both the time and budget to fix up cool old cars the right way, with the right parts.

In this latest video from M539 Restorations, we get to see this E39 BMW 530i Touring get quite the overall and it’s incredibly satisfying to watch. More specifically, it gets my favorite work done—suspension.

Replacing suspension components is my favorite part of modding cars. Not only is it relatively straightforward—car suspensions are made up of large parts, with large bolts, that aren’t overly complicated—but it also makes a massive difference to the way the car feels. Even just replacing the suspension components with OEM, or OE replacement, parts can make a monumental difference for an older, tired car. That’s exactly what happens in this video.

The E39 530i Touring in this video gets a complete suspension refresh and it’s the sort of thing that makes my brain happy. Just seeing all of the new parts laid out on the floor is like a serotonin shot to my brain. New shocks, new springs, new control arms, new ball joints, new wheel bearings, new calipers, new rotors, and new pads? I might faint. Watching all of that get installed is like watching an artist rejuvenate a painting at the Louvre.

Of course, it’s much easier to watch this install than it is to actually perform and, even with all new parts and good tools, removing old suspension components can be an anger-inducing endeavor. However, us viewers don’t have to worry about that, so we can enjoy the good part—watching the new parts go in.

When new, the E39 5 Series has one of the sweetest rides of any premium sedan ever. It’s absolutely sensational to drive. So imagining what this feels like after a complete overhaul is so good is actually makes me mad with jealousy.

Sapphire Black and Alpine White are missing from the family portrait, but these three hues are arguably the more exciting ones available for the new M2. Sadly, the G87’s color palette is surprisingly limited at launch, with BMW promising to address the issue at some point in 2024. In the meantime, the exclusive Zandvoort Blue is flanked here by the familiar Toronto Red and Brooklyn Grey metallic colors.

Since picking a favorite color is purely subjective, there are no right or wrong answers here. Granted, the non-metallic Zandvoort Blue pops a bit more than the others thanks to its novelty factor. However, that will gradually fade away as we’re certain BMW won’t keep this paint job exclusive to the M2 for too long. One assumption it’s (probably) safe to make is that people who are not fond of the car’s design will get it in Sapphire Black.

Seeing these three posing for the camera might help you decide on the color, although nothing beats checking out the cars in real life. It won’t be long until early adopters will take delivery of their cars as the global launch is scheduled for April. Unlike its F87 predecessor manufactured in Leipzig, the new M2 is made at the San Luis Potosi plant in Mexico alongside the regular 2 Series Coupe.

4 Interior Colors

The BMW M2 offers four interior options to choose from, including solid black, black with M-color accents, Cognac, and another black with carbon fiber sport buckets and more M-colored highlights. While the first three options are free of cost, the fourth one is exclusively available with the $9,000 carbon fiber options package. The car also offers three trim choices such as carbon fiber, gloss black, and aluminum, with the carbon fiber trim only available in the carbon fiber package mentioned earlier.

Controversial design and limited color choices aside, the G87 remains highly desirable, especially since rear-wheel-drive sports cars with a six-cylinder engine and a manual gearbox are dying. There’s always the option of buying a used F87 for those who can’t get used to the radical design changes brought by the second-generation model. The new M2 is more powerful than its predecessor but it’s also substantially heavier, almost matching the weight of its big-brother M4. Time will tell whether BMW will remove some weight with a Competition and/or CS later in the life cycle. The M2 might actually put on even more weight if reports about getting xDrive will come to fruition.

Electrification is opening entirely new worlds to automakers. Electric car platforms are incredibly versatile and allow car companies to get far more creative with body styles, model types, and interior designs than ever before. Which is why you’re starting to see more and more new model types coming from different automakers and the latest is Audi, who is working on a rugged electric SUV that could rival the Mercedes G-Class, Land Rover Defender, and Rivian R1S. With such a rugged Audi on the market, that leaves BMW as the only member of the Big German Three without a rugged SUV. So should BMW come up with something to match them?

Following Rivian?

Realistically, yes. BMW should be competing with its rivals with rugged SUVs because customers are starting to realize that, with electric SUVs, they can get rugged utility without sacrificing comfort and performance. The Rivian R1S proves that you can truly have your cake and eat it, too thanks to EVs. The next-generation electric G-Glass is also going to likely set new benchmarks in utility and luxury. While Audi is going to be a very interesting player in the game and it has to do with its parent company, Volkswagen.

VW owns Scout, the iconic American SUV and truck maker. There hasn’t been a Scout since Reagan was president but VW is brining the brand back with an all electric SUV built on a new architecture. That same architecture will likely be used by Audi as the basis of its own rugged SUV. So it will very likely be a shockingly capable but also stylish and premium electric SUV. That’s something that many customers, especially in America, can get behind.

If you’re thinking that BMW shouldn’t do such things, as it’s a sporty brand and must only make driver’s cars, just wait until you hear about the X5, X6, X7, 2 Series Active Tourer, and 1 Series hatchback. None of those cars can realistically be considered sporty driver’s cars and BMW makes them anyway. Why? Because they make BMW money. When BMW’s most powerful car in history is a plug-in hybrid SUV that weighs over three tons, what’s wrong with BMW making an SUV that’s actually good at being an SUV? It would absolutely make BMW money and likely lots of it.

With the Neue Klasse architecture, BMW will absolutely have the room in its lineup, and the manufacturing ability, to make an SUV about X5-sized that’s every bit as rugged as something like a Rivian. With customers starting to realize that they can have EVs that have multiple strengths, and brands like Mercedes, Audi, Rivian, and Volkswagen giving them such vehicles, BMW should absolutely do it too.

[Render behance.net/kdesignag | instagram.com/kdesignag]

The BMW 4 Series is readying its LCI facelift, before it’s eventually replaced with a Neue Klasse successor. While it’s pretty easy to guesstimate what sort of updates the 4 Series LCI will get, it’s still interesting to see the test mule driving around in public. So when new spy photos surface, out interest is piqued. (We don’t own these spy photos but they can be seen here)

The 4 Series seen here is the Convertible, which might not debut at the same time as the regular 4 Series LCI, as sometimes BMW delays the convertible versions a bit. When it debuts, though, it’s going to have the same updates as its fixed-top sibling. So expect new headlights, potentially a slightly updated grille, mildly refreshed taillights, and some interior tweaks. It won’t look drastically different from the outside but the 3 Series LCI looks significantly better than before so the 4 Series could as well.

As for the interior, the 4 Series will get the same updates as every other new Bimmer. Its iDrive 7 system will be replaced by iDrive 8, which will bring the new massive curved display. While iDrive 8 is primarily touchscreen-based, the 4 Series Convertible should keep its traditional rotary dial. BMW is starting to phase out the rotary dial, starting with the new X1, which makes us a bit sad, especially since the iDrive screen isn’t any closer to the driver without it. Also gone is a traditional automatic shifter and in its place is a small toggle switch.

It’s also the least “enthusiast” model, for being the heaviest, a soft-top convertible, and the least rigid. However, it’s also one of the best because it embraces what the 4 Series does best. Despite BMW’s claims, the 4 Series isn’t a proper sports car. It’s too heavy, too soft, and too numb. However, it’s a great little GT car, kind of like a mini 8 Series. And dropping the top only makes GT cars better, as it allows the scenery to be part of the journey.

The specific 4 Series in these photos is an M440i Convertible judging by its trapezoidal exhausts. That means it packs BMW’s B58 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It’s the best engine for the 4 Series Convertible because it gives the mini GT car longer legs and a more intoxicating sound. With the top down, you can really hear the B58’s growl and it enhances the experience enough to make it worth the upgrade alone. If you have a 4 Series Convertible now, an updated model should be around the corner.

[Source: Motor1]

Right now, BMW’s hottest car is the M3 Touring and for good reason. It’s the first ever M3 wagon, something fans have wanted for decades, and it’s every bit as excellent as we all hoped it would be. However, it is a bit difficult to get your hands one. For starts, it’s very expensive, with well-equipped examples nearing six-figures. It’s also quite hard to get an allocation for, so even fans that can afford one will struggle to get one. But what if you don’t want to wait, nor spend that much money? Well, there’s always the BMW M340i Touring, which can be every bit as fast as the M3 Touring with a simple tune, as proven by this video from AutoTopNL.

This has been the age-old dilemma—do you buy the more expensive sports car, or tune the less expensive normal car? In the case of the BMW M340i Touring, though, it’s a bit different because while it’s technically a normal car (don’t let its “M” badge fool you, it’s about as much of a proper M car as a BMW Isetta), it’s already so good to drive. And its engine, the B58 engine, is not only the basis of the M3’s S58 engine, it’s arguably just as good. It’s also immensely tunable.

For example, the standard B58 engine—a 3.0-liter turbocharged I6—makes 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque from the factory. However, simple tunes can easily make it more powerful, just like the one in this video that makes 460 horsepower. That’s not as much as the M3 Touring, which has 503 horsepower, but it’s not far off the 473 horsepower of the standard M3. However, because the M340i Touring is available with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, it’s faster than the rear-wheel drive, manual transmission standard M3.

Of course, the M340i Touring won’t be as sharp, as exciting, or quite as fast as an M3 Touring. However, in this video, it proves that it can pretty easily cruise on the Autobahn at 290 km/h (181 mph), which is about the top speed of the M3 Touring. Plus, if you need more than a 181 mph top speed, you’re either racing for money or you’re fit for a straight jacket. The M340i Touring is tens of thousands of euros (or British pounds) cheaper than the M3 Touring, so even after a tune it’s significantly less expensive. All while still handling well, being just as practical, looking better, riding more comfortably. So if you can’t get an M3 Touring, that doesn’t mean you can’t get an incredible performance wagon from BMW.

Many were disappointed to see the production-ready 2023 BMW XM did not inherit the avant-garde interior cabin of the namesake concept. Although the plug-in hybrid SUV looks a lot like an X7 LCI on the inside, it does have some exclusive features. Chief of which is this two-tone theme with Silverstone and Vintage Coffee, an optional Merino leather upholstery that will set you back an extra $2,500. Mind you, that’s on top of an eye-watering base price of $159,000.

It also has an M Lounge, which is marketing jargon for the leather on the outer seats extending onto the door panels to create a sofa-like ambiance. Much like the seats themselves, the extra leather surfaces are also heated. BMW has fitted the extravagant XM with the same wheelbase as the fullsize X7 but the dedicated M model is sold strictly with two rows of seats, so there’s ample legroom in the back. The opulent SUV can comfortably fit three rear passengers thanks to its imposingly wide body.

Other traits unique are the XM-branded cushions with quilted Alcantara covers along with a so-called sculptural headliner. It too is covered in Alcantara and boasts a prism structure illuminated with no fewer than 100 LEDs mounted on the sides. These light-emitting diodes adapt to the selected driving mode and produce dynamic effects depending on various conditions. For example, they can signal an incoming phone call or alert those inside of a potential collision when opening a door.

Heavily tinted rear side windows with only 5% visible light transmission provide the privacy some people desire, while the acoustic glazing for all side windows keeps the noise out of the lavish cabin. For the first time in a BMW, soft Nappa leather is used for the upper sections of the instrument panel and door trim panels by using the Coffee Brown Vintage leather.

Stepping outside of the XM, this press car brought by BMW to the international media launch event held in Scottsdale, Arizona is finished in Marina Blue Bay metallic and rides on 23-inch wheels. As if the design wasn’t polarizing enough, the look-at-me body flaunts gold accents, including the kidney grille surround.

Arriving later this year will be an XM Label Red with its own set of exclusive touches inside and out.

Source: BMW

BMW didn’t invent the coupe-SUV as there had been other swoopy high-riding models before the E71 arrived in 2008. However, the German luxury brand made the body style popular, turning it from a niche to a standalone segment. The smaller X4 joined the lineup in 2014 and was followed by the X2 about four years later, but it’s the X6 that put coupe-SUVs on the automotive map.

Codenamed G06, the third-generation model recently underwent a nip and tuck, so we decided to travel to Munich and visit the BMW Welt to film a striking build finished in Java Green. Mind you, this is not an M Performance version, let alone the full-fat M model. The reason why it looks substantially sportier than the regular X6 LCI is because of the M Performance Parts in carbon fiber to contrast the eye-catching Individual paint.

Equipped with the M Sport Package, this facelifted X6 rides on 22-inch wheels featuring a two-tone look, with brake red calipers lurking from behind. The MPP goodies start at the front where the luxury SUV has received a chunky carbon fiber spoiler lip while surrounds for the lower air intake are also made from the same lightweight material. The top of the windshield has an “M Performance Parts” sticker sending a 1980s vibe.

The side profile reveals an “M Performance” decal running along the bottom of the doors, along with mirror caps bathed in carbon fiber. The 2024 BMW X6’s rear hosts a diffuser and tailgate spoiler made from carbon as well, making the Java Green Metallic paint pop even more. While this may seem a bit too much, people buying X6s love the attention, so this splashy version is right up their alley.

The X6 M60i and X6 M Competition have even more visual drama for those who can step up the V8 models. However, all pale in comparison to the controversial XM, which going forward sits at the top of BMW’s SUV offerings while also being the flagship M car.

[Photos: instagram.com/chrism2f87]

There are only five colors available for the new BMW M2 G87 at the moment of writing, with BMW M telling us additional non-Individual paint choices will become available later in 2024. If you can’t wait that long but the exclusive Zandvoort Blue is not your cup of tea, how about a murdered-out build? This G87 is finished in Black Sapphire, one of the three metallic paints available alongside Toronto Red and Brooklyn Grey.

The sinister sports coupe goes a step further with the dark look by riding on completely black wheels measuring 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear. It also happens to have the Shadowline Package with heavily tinted lights and black quad exhaust tips. The only splash of color is provided by the brake calipers finished in a contrasting red shade.

While one would argue exciting cars look better in flashy colors, you can never go wrong with black. As always, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder but there’s no denying maintaining a black car is a bit trickier. Alpine White is the fifth and final paint BMW is currently offering. Sadly, Individual colors won’t be offered anytime soon as the San Luis Potosi plant in Mexico where the M2 is made can’t accommodate special paints for the time being. However, that should change in the coming years.

The limitations of the current color palette can be addressed by wrapping the car or respraying it. Those who plan on buying the M2 are unlikely to patiently wait until BMW adds more hues and will go with one of the five available paints. We’d probably take ours in black but with the two-tone wheels as the monochrome look isn’t necessarily our cup of tea. As the saying goes, to each their own.

[Videos provided by instagram.com/autoliban]

When BMW introduced the second-generation 2 Series Coupe (G42) in mid-2021, the M240i was presented exclusively in xDrive guise. However, it was joined about a year later by a rear-wheel-drive version that shaved off 55 kilograms (121 pounds) after removing the AWD setup. At 1,635 kg (3,604 lbs), it’s still a heavy car, but with all power routed to the rear wheels, it’s closer in spirit to the new M2 G87.

A new immersive video recorded by a camera mounted on the driver’s helmet shows the tail-happy M240i being pushed hard around Hockenheim (GP configuration). Behind the wheel is Sport Auto’s Uwe Sener, driving the sports coupe equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. You will notice BMW’s latest iDrive 8, but the 2er originally didn’t have it at its launch. It was introduced with the cars produced from July 2022.

So, how did it fare? The two-wheel-drive M Performance 2 Series Coupe lapped the famous German track in 2 minutes and 0.7 seconds. For reference, Sport Auto tested an M4 Competition Coupe xDrive last year and that one crossed the finish line in 1.53.9. Other hot laps with BMWs included an M5 Competition (1:54.2), an M850i Coupe (1:57), and an M340i xDrive (2:01.1).

It’ll be interesting to see how much faster the new M2 is going to be compared to the RWD M240i. The former can be had with a manual gearbox whereas the latter is an auto-only affair, much like its xDrive sibling. The price gap between the M240i and the M2 is substantial as the flagship version commands a $13,300 premium.

Much like the full-fat M2, the M240i is a dying breed considering six-cylinder compact performance cars are few and far between in 2023 when everything seems to be about downsizing and electric vehicles. With the Porsche Cayman to be replaced in 2025 by an EV, BMW’s inline-six 2 Series models will compete in a rarified segment. The Alpine A110 is also heading toward retirement in the coming years, with an electric successor planned for 2026.

Source: Sport Auto / YouTube

BMW is currently in the planning and designing phase of building its Debrecen, Hungary factory, which will be the factory that builds Neue Klasse cars starting in 2025. However, this current phase isn’t being carried out in a normal fashion. Rather than just studying blueprints, BMW partnered with Nvidia to build a completely virtual version of the Debrecen factory, from soup to nuts, with every machine and facility added in explicit detail.

Why go through the trouble to digitally create the factory before building it in reality? It allows BMW to optimize manufacturing efficiency before laying a single real brick. BMW can see what works and what doesn’t work on a real scale, long before construction begins, which can be an invaluable tool if used properly. It can even save money.

“Virtualisation and artificial intelligence are accelerating and refining our planning. With the various planning systems consolidated within a digital twin, our teams around the world can now work together in real-time and make decisions faster and on a more solid foundation,” Milan Nedeljković explained. “This makes us much quicker and more efficient and saves on costs as well.”

BMW used Nvidia’s Omniverse Enterprise, a 3D building platform, to create a 3D factory in the metaverse (I just vomited typing that word).

“Digitalization is moving fastest in the automotive industry and BMW has been a leader in advancing this vision,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “We are partnering closely with BMW, using NVIDIA Omniverse to help streamline their manufacturing processes, enhance collaboration and further efficiency. Our collaboration will continue to push the frontiers of virtual integration for the next generation of smart, connected factories around the world.”

BMW has long been among the best auto manufacturers in the world at actually manufacturing cars. Its ability to build cars in top-notch facilities with incredible efficiency and little to no errors is hugely impressive in the industry. So seeing BMW go all out for the Neue Klasse factory shows how important such cars are for the brand.

The 1.4 km-squared Debrecen factory should begin building cars in 2025, which will likely go on sale as 2026 models. So production there is still a long way off. Cars like the upcoming BMW iX3 and i3 will be among the first Neue Klasse cars that’s build in 2026, as they’re the most popular BMW models. However, it’s fascinating to see BMW partnering with Nvidia to build a digital version first.

I have a gut feeling that the next-gen ‘G90’ BMW M5 is going to be an absolute menace. Don’t let its hybrid nature fool you, the G90 M5 is going to be sharper, more capable, faster, and more exciting than this current-gen M5. In this new video, you can get a taste of the G90 M5 as it attacks the Nurburgring in the rain.

In the video, you can see the BMW M5 on both the road and the track. During the former, you get a pretty up close look at the highly camouflaged test mule. While there are very few details to make out from its looks, due to the heavy camo, there are some interesting takeaways. The first is the car’s stance.

One of the biggest complaints about the current F90 BMW M5 is that it doesn’t look aggressive enough, due to its wheel arches not being swollen enough and it just not having the right stance. However this new car’s wheel arches stick out considerably, relative to the pillars and roofline, which makes it look wide and aggressive, more so than the current M5.

You can also see its new headlights, which look similar to those found on the BMW M2. We know that the 5 Series and M5 will get more sensibly styled front ends, leaving the big grilles for more luxurious, stylish models, and it’s all the better for it.

However, being a BMW M5, you want to know how it performs. It’s impossible to say if it’s better than its predecessor without driving it but it certainly looks sharper. It seems to turn in with a rapidness that belies its size and, during a left turn on the road, the driver accidentally steps the tail out in the rain, proving that it’s going to be an M car that can bite, which is important to the brand ethos.

Plug-in Hybrid Drivetrain

Under the hood will be BMW’s S68 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and it will likely make around 650 horsepower. However, much of its power will also come from an electric motor and batteries, which will help provide huge amounts of traction and performance.

But that hybrid powertrain was only put in place to add performance, so don’t expect and world-saving EV more or excellent gas mileage. Instead, expect a very fun, very exciting BMW M5 that will use the best tech available to make the best performance sedan possible.

This generation of MINI is on its way out. That includes every MINI model, from the little Cooper hatch all the way up to the Countryman. The forgotten model in the lineup is the MINI Clubman, which is a shame because it’s actually quite a good little car. However, its time is also ending soon, so MINI decided to give it one final sendoff, aptly named the MINI Clubman Final Edition.

The first Mini Clubman debuted way back in 1969, when its designer Roy Haynes said “The impression that only ugly things can be functional has disappeared.” Good ole Haynes had a point. The original Clubman was a cool looking little car and was more spacious and practical than most small cars. Fast forward all the way to 2007, during BMW’s ownership and the capitalization of the MINI nameplate, the Clubman returned. Now, in its newest generation, the Clubman still offers a compact but practical shape, cool looks, and fun driving dynamics.

3 Colors – Nanuq White, Enigmatic Black, and Melting Silver

For Final Edition-duty, the Clubman comes in Cooper, Cooper S, and typical diesel flavors, gets three special colors—Nanuq White, Enigmatic Black, and Melting Silver—and Shimmer Copper trim. Its 18 inch wheels are also unique to the Final Edition model. Because the MINI Clubman Final Edition will be limited to 1,969 models, to honor the year the of the original Clubman, the C-pillar will features a “1 of 1969” badge.

Inside, the Clubman Final Edition gets some Sage Dark Green and more Shimmer Copper trim, as well as its own “1 of 1969” badges. The seats are a Dark Maroon color with anthracite-colored Piquet fabric insert.

Mechanically, though, Clubman Final Edition isn’t any different than the standard car. It has all of the same engines, most notably the 2.0-liter turbo-four from the Cooper S model, the same transmission options, and it’s also available in either front or all-wheel drive. While that might feel a bit less special than you might have been hoping for, it’s a good thing, too.

The Clubman is a good little car to drive. It’s sharp, sporty, fun to chuck around, an dit rides well enough to live with on a daily basis. It might be considerably bigger than the original Clubman but it hasn’t lost any of the original car’s driving pleasure. The MINI Clubman is still a lovely thing to drive, even if it’s sort of been forgotten over the years. Now, though, it’s time for it to end and for usher in the next generation of MINI.

As with virtually all cars, BMW models are getting more and more expensive across the world with each passing year. The recently introduced X5 facelift is no exception, especially if we’re talking about the M60i and the full-fat M, now offered solely in Competition flavor. Let’s say you can’t step up to either of the two performance derivatives but still want some of that M goodness. This is where the M Sport Package and M Performance Parts come in.

Nardo Grey BMW Individual Color

The extra bits lend the SUV a more aggressive look to bridge the gap (at least visually) until the M60i and M models with their brawny V8 engines. This lesser version is an xDrive40i dressed to impress in the BMW Individual (but Audi-esque) Nardo Grey. The swanky paint is complemented by the glossy black accents you get with the M Sport Package and the carbon fiber add-ons available as M Performance Parts.

It’s easy to spot the lightweight pieces as the rectangular two-piece spoiler lip blends nicely with the carbon fiber surrounds of the air vents flanking the lower air intake. This 2024 X5 LCI also happens to have the optional Shadowline kidney grille, along with a carbon fiber rear diffuser available as an upgrade from the catalog with M Performance Parts. The roof-mounted rear spoiler in glossy black is also an MPP item.

Eagle-eyed readers will also notice the carbon fiber side mirrors but without the distinctive shape found on the M60i and M versions of the latest X5. Those red brake calipers are hard to miss, failing to hide behind one of the 22-inch wheel designs (749 M style) offered by BMW for its refreshed luxury SUV.

Overall, this must be one of the most expensive builds based on a regular version, making us wonder whether it would make more sense to just go for a base M60i.

[Photos: instagram.com/chrism2f87] [Video: paul m8 / YouTube]

The M3 and M4 models have switched to the iDrive 8 infotainment system but have not gone through a proper Life Cycle Impulse like the lesser versions have for the 2023 model year. However, it is widely believed BMW is working on a full-fat LCI for the high-performance versions, scheduled to arrive as early as next year. A well-known insider who goes by the ynguldyn username on the Bimmer Post forums has heard there will be a minor bump in output for the xDrive models.

The M3s and M4s with AWD will allegedly have their inline-six engines dialed to 525 horsepower. It could upset some owners of the M3 CS and M4 CSL, but on the other hand, those limited-run special editions cars are still more potent while packing other upgrades and weight-saving measures. The insider doesn’t say anything about the torque figure but we’re not expecting a bump over the existing 650 Nm (478 lb-ft) since that would exceed what the CS and CSL models are offering.

One missing piece of the puzzle is whether the M3 Touring will also benefit from the power bumper. It would be a little bit odd to upgrade the super wagon’s engine in just two years since the G81’s launch. At the same time, it would be weird not to have the AWD- and Competition-only estate perfectly match the power offered by the all-paw sedan.

According to the same person who claims to have access to BMW’s agenda, the G82 Coupe LCI and G83 Convertible LCI will enter production in March 2024. The two-door duo will be reportedly followed by the G80 Sedan in July of the same year. For the time being, there is no info about whether the G81 Touring will be subjected to the same changes. Another novelty brought by the LCI could be an M4 CS as BMW M boss Frank van Meel told us late last year about how there is room in the lineup between the M4 Competition and the M4 CSL.

Source: ynguldyn / BimmerPost

As car nerds, we mocked BMW for launching the X4. BMW, the brand known for making small, sporty sedans and coupes, making yet another “coupe” SUV seemed like a sign of the end times. However, since then, the BMW X4 has spawned several copycats from other brands, most notably the Mercedes GLC Coupe, which is now in its newest generation to take on the BMW X4 LCI.

Just like with BMW’s X4, the Mercedes GLC Coupe is instantly recognizable on the outside. Its new body work is very typically Mercedes at this point and it looks mostly good. Its front end features a pretty corporate-looking Mercedes grill, its headlights are sporty, its body lines are soft and rounded, and its rear end is a little dumpy, just all all three-pointed star products. It’s a handsome SUV, though, and I’d argue it’s better looking than the X4.

On the inside, it also gets a familiar Mercedes design, with the massive touchscreen see on all new Mercedes products. It’s tilted slightly, toward the driver, which makes it feel even more driver-focused than most big touchscreen-based interiors. The big three-spoke steering wheel is similar to what you’ll find in most other Mercedes products, with its funky dual side spokes, and its massive gauge cluster is full colorful, high-resolution graphics. It’s a nice looking place to spend some time and certainly looks flashier than the X4 inside, though I can’t speak to quality or comfort.

For now, only one engine is available in the U.S.: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. If that sounds familiar, that’s because those are the exact same engine and power specs as the BMW X4 xDrive30i. Unlike the X4, though, the GLC Coupe’s engine gets 48-volt mild-hybrid tech. According to Mercedes, 0-60 mph happens in 6.2 seconds, which is respectable for an SUV of its size and power.

When it comes to coupe-like SUVs such as the Mercedes GLC Coupe and BMW X4, style is king. That’s the whole point of them, right? They’re not as practical as their traditional SUV siblings, so customers buy them for their looks. Since looks will set them apart for customers more than anything else, BMW should be a bit concerned with the GLC Coupe, as it looks better than the X4. Will it drive as well? We can’t know until we drive one but the early results look good for Mercedes.

The 2023 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season will kick off at the end of May with the inaugural race at the Oschersleben in Germany. Three BMW M4 GT3s will be competing in the colors of BMW M Motorsport partners Shell, RoboMarkets, and Schubert. Reigning champion Sheldon van der Linde will drive the #1 race car in the iconic Shell colors while three-time DTM champion René Rast will keep the #33 on a blue RoboMarkets design.

As for two-time champion Marco Wittmann and his new Project 1 team, he’ll have the #11 car in the green Schaeffler design, nicknamed the “Green Machine.” The design of the fourth M4 GT3 that will be competing this season in the 2023 DTM will be revealed by Project 1 in due course when we will also learn who will get behind the wheel.

The M4 GT3 sits above the M2 CS Racing and M4 GT4 but below the M Hybrid V8 in BMW M Motorsport’s lineup. It replaced the M6 GT3 and is heavily related to the road-going M4 Competition Coupe. When the race car was introduced back in 2021, it was touted as bringing major improvements in three key areas: driveability, cost efficiency, and operation.

It’s worth mentioning that since late 2022, ADAC has fully taken over brand rights to the DTM from the previous owner ITR. In 2023, almost 30 cars are expected to race. Because of the high number of cars, an updated scoring system is planned to replace the outgoing F1-style system awarding points for the first 10 drivers. It remains to be seen whether ADAC will implement the same scoring system it uses in the GT Masters series where the first 15 drivers to cross the finish line are rewarded with points.

2023 DTM calendar

• 26-28 May Oschersleben
• 23-25 June Zandvoort
• 7-9 July Norisring
• 4-6 August Nurburgring
• 18-20 August Lausitzring
• 8-10 September Sachsenring
• 22-24 September Red Bull Ring
• 20-22 October Hockenheimring

Source: BMW

If you look at the BMW XM objectively, it’s a good idea. Fans might be annoyed that the first from-the-ground-up M car since the original M1 is a plug-in hybrid SUV but that’s not actually what it is. Instead, the BMW XM is a three-ton, plug-in hybrid printing press. It essentially allows BMW M to print money, because it’s incredibly expensive and will mostly be sold in markets that are going to buy the most optioned up versions: the U.S. and China.

U.S. – The largest market

According to a recent powerpoint presentation by BMW M, the Bavarians expect the XM to be sold primarily in those two markets. Of course, these are just projections and not concrete sales figures but BMW knows its markets, it does its research, it has a pretty good grasp on who’s going to buy what. So these projections are likely pretty accurate.

The U.S. will be the BMW XM’s biggest market with projected market share of 26 percent. Surprise, I know. The country that loves big, obnoxious, luxury SUVs is naturally going to be the market for the XM. I can already see them rolling around Beverly Hills at four mph, using none of its monstrous power, just like every other Lamborghini Urus, Aston Martin DBX, and Bentley Bentayga. And in places like that, they’re not getting base model XMs. They’re getting fully loaded ones with Individual colors, so price tags are going to be high and BMW is going to make lots of money.

After the U.S., China will be the next largest market, with a projected market share of 24 percent. China is right behind the U.S. in its love for obnoxious luxury cars. China is a bit more into luxury limos than the U.S., which is likely the reason for its slightly lower projection, but it’s still a big SUV-buying country. China also likes big, bold styling, so the XM will fit in well.

The rest of the projected market share is cleaned up by the Middle East (8 percent), Germany (7 percent), and Korea (7 percent). That sounds about right, unless Germany as a country suddenly falls in love with enormous SUVs, something we don’t see happening any time soon.

BMW isn’t dumb and, we must remember, isn’t in the business of making cars. It’s in the business of making money, cars is just how it does that. So the XM was made because BMW knows it will make money. Hopefully, much of that money can be funneled into making some smaller, more exciting standalone M cars that are more faithful to the brand name.

When the G82 BMW M4 was first revealed, its weight was a massive talking point. At its heaviest (Convertible, xDrive), it tips the scales at over 4,000 lbs, which is enormously heavy for what is supposed to be a lightweight performance car from BMW Motorsport. When fans saw that, their desires instantly shifted toward the then-upcoming BMW M2, a car they hoped would be a return to lightweight simplicity. Except, now that it’s here, we know that it’s not.

The BMW M2 is a heavy car for its size. It does not look like a car that’s an average American driver away from being two tons. However, the BMW M2 is actually about the same weight as the M4 and, in some cases, almost exactly the same. At its lightest, the BMW M2 checks in at 3,812 lbs, with a carbon fiber roof and manual transmission. The BMW M4 with a carbon roof and a manual is around the same.

However, things can get heavy quickly for both cars. If you don’t spec the carbon roof and get the automatic transmission in the BMW M2, you’re looking at almost 3,900 lbs. That’s where a car of the M2’s size is considered heavy. While the BMW M4 can get even heavier than that, by adding all-wheel drive, it’s still remarkable to see just how close in weight the M2 is to its older sibling. But how can that be?

As it turns out, the BMW M2 isn’t much smaller than the M4. Both cars share the same CLAR platform, only the M4 has a bit more length in between the wheelbase. The longer M4 is 4.794 meters long, while the M2 is 4.580 meters long, so the M2 is about a hand’s length shorter. Both cars are exactly the same width, 1.887 meters wide without mirrors, likely thanks to the shared subframes. And the BMW M2 is actually taller, at 1.403 meters tall, versus the 1.393 meter height of the M4.

According to BMW M, you can’t feel the heft of the M2 from behind the wheel but what else is BMW M going to say? “Yeah, it feels like a pig, I don’t know what went wrong?” Probably not. Admittedly, the M2 is still a great car to drive and fans shouldn’t be too concerned. BMW has proven time and time again that it knows how to push the limits of physics. Still, it is a bit odd to think that the M2—the car that’s supposed to be BMW’s purest, smallest, most driver-focused sports car—is as heavy as an M4.

The BMW XM is not a normal looking car. It features strange proportions, unusual headlights, and a cabin whose rear seat is significantly different than its front. It also looks unlike any other BMW, as it wasn’t based on any pre-existing Bimmer. Instead, it was designed from the ground up to be an M car, so it’s the funkiest looking Bavarian product on sale. However, in Carbon Black, it actually looks like a pretty normal BMW SUV.

Dark colors work well on XM

Carbon Black is an interesting color because, despite its name, it actually looks quite blue in any sort of bright light. At night, it’s basically black, with only glimpse of blue sparkle under passing streetlights. It’s a great color for many BMWs, thanks to that duality, but it’s also quite a normal looking color. So using it on the BMW XM actually tones down its madness a bit.

Look at the BMW XM in any other color and it’s an all out visual assault on the eyes. Some love it, some hate it, but either way there’s no denying just how much design there is. It’s like the designers just couldn’t put their pen down, with lines and creases leading to nowhere. That excessiveness of design is exacerbated by brighter colors, which highlight every last detail. But not so in Carbon Black. It smooths some of those creases out, hides some of its lines, and makes it seem… like a normal BMW.

The front end was never the XM’s issue but it looks even better in Carbon Black. Its split headlights, new kidney grilles (though I’ll never get used to the horizontal grille slats), and its hood bulges all look great in the shadowy blue-ish black. As for the rest of the car, carbon black works with addition by subtraction. Removing much of its design excess adds to its sophistication. Same goes for the interior, as it’s a simple black cabin with simple patrons.

What’s interesting is that Carbon Black might be the XM’s best color but it’s a no-cost option. However, if you want to add some spice to the relatively unexciting XM, you can get the NightGold Metallic exterior trim kit, which comes with gold trim under the exterior window line and grilles, to name a few. Gold works well with both black and with blue, so this option works well on Carbon Black, regardless of how the paint looks in the light.

[Photos by instagram.com/krispycaptures / @HendrickBMW]

White is generally among the dullest paint options you can opt for, and yet it makes the XM look even more striking. A new official photo gallery released by BMW on the occasion of the Super SUV’s international media launch event held in Scottsdale, Arizona shows the dedicated M model in Mineral White. The main color is boldly contrasted by glossy black surfaces not just on the body, but also on the two-tone wheels measuring 22 inches.

As if the exterior wasn’t eccentric enough what with its gold accents, the cabin is equally flamboyant due to the Sakhir Orange leather upholstery with some black surfaces. It’s a $1,500 option on a vehicle that carries a steep starting price of $159,000, with an even more expensive Label Red limited-run special edition coming this fall at $185,995.

The range-topping M model is highly customizable and is offered in a multitude of colors, including the recently added Urban Green, Petrol Mica, Sepia, and Anglesey Green available from April. In addition, you can opt for massive 23-inch wheels – the largest ever offered by BMW – complete with gold accents. On the inside, the Spartanburg-built behemoth has a couple of exclusive finishes by combining Silverstone or Deep Lagoon with Vintage Coffee upper sections.

That Label Red version we mentioned earlier will have its own unique touches inside and out, along with a more potent configuration of the plug-in hybrid V8. Expect red accents to denote it’s the sportiest XM derivative, packing a colossal 748 hp and 737 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) for a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds.

All versions of the XM will have that charging port on the left-front fender since BMW intends to sell the M1’s indirect successor only as a PHEV. It is believed Europe and other markets, but not the United States, will get an inline-six version, presumably called the XM 50e.

Source: BMW